Carl Frampton can secure a world title opportunity by beating Fidel Cazares in Belfast

Carl Frampton can earn a world super-bantamweight title tilt in Belfast tonight but he will have to do it the hard way.

Standing in his way is the formidable figure of two-weight world champion Fidel Cazares, a Mexican southpaw who draws the utmost respect even if he is getting a little long in the tooth at 36-years-old.

The winner at the 02 Odyssey Arena is guaranteed a showdown with WBC champion Leo Santa Cruz and Frampton and his mentor Barry McGuigan are determined the opportunity will not slip from their grasp.

‘He’s easily the most experienced guy I’ve ever fought. It could be tricky for a while,’ Frampton said if his opponent who has promised to turn fight like a tiger from the first bell.

‘He likes to switch and he throws wide shots, which could be dangerous. People say it’s the ones that you don’t see that knock you out, so I’ll need to be careful.

‘But I’m ready to face a very high pace for 12 rounds. This guy really is tough. He hasn’t been stopped since 1999. I want to get rid of this guy and I honestly think that I will.’

McGuigan is also aware of the pitfalls facing his fighter but is confident Frampton will triumph and said: ‘This guy looks very fit and very strong and he’s completely convinced he’s going to knock Carl out.

‘We love it that way because Carl really gets switched on in those circumstances. It’s not just about winning. It’s about the way you win, and we want Carl to win emphatically and dynamically.’